Authorities have extended Covid-19 health and safety restrictions initiated last week in the Greater Male' area by an additional seven days, in order to curb the spread of the virus in the capital and outlying atolls.
This was revealed by a statement signed by the Director General of Public Health, Maimoona Aboobakuru, which highlights that she, as per the powers vested in her under the Public Health Protection Act (No.: 7/12), had deigned to extend the restrictive measures in place across Greater Male' to safeguard the health of residents.
The measures in question were initiated last week, and will be extended by an additional seven days in Male', Hulhumale', Villimale', Thilafushi and Gulhifalhu islands.
Under the revised guidelines, Male' City residents are now required to provide negative PCR results with a sample taken 72 hours prior to traveling to island, with special permission required for essential travel.
The extended measures also include the curfew, effective between 11pm and 4:30pm, in addition to the vehicle movement restriction order being implemented across the capital between 6pm and 6am. The order also reinforces the ban on gatherings of more than five people, and closing down cinemas, running tracks, cinemas, parks and other public places and even gyms. Only single-person exercise sessions are allowed at gyms until further notice. Schools, nurseries, universities, colleges and daycares will also remain closed in the coming week.
The public health authority has also extended measures implemented in cafés, restaurants and tea shops on delivery, dine-in and takeaway services, by seven days. Cafés and restaurants are required to halt dine-in services from 8pm, takeaway and delivery services are to be allowed until 10:30pm. Officers of the Maldives Police Service (MPS), Maldives National Defense Force (MNDF), public service providers and their vehicles as well as ambulances, those holding permits acquired through Health Emergency Operations Center (HEOC) and those attending Fajr prayers are exempt from these restrictions.
Under the order signed by DG of Public Health Maimoona Aboobakuru, those seeking emergency health services are exempt from restrictions, and will be allowed to do so under instructions for implementation authorities such as the Maldives Police Service (MPS).
